6th Ward candidates vow to be voice for residents

FINDLAY — Haydee Sadler is making her third bid for a public office in the Republican primary election and is being opposed by a political newcomer. Both candidates are promising to be a voice for city residents. Her opponent, Rodney Phillips, is a retired Findlay firefighter. He retired with the rank of captain after 27 years of service. The incumbent 6th Ward Councilman Jim Niemeyer is not seeking reelection. Niemeyer was first appointed to Findlay Council in 2014. No Democrats filed for 6th Ward. Sadler, 49, ran in August 2022 for the Republican woman's seat on the State Central Committee for the 1st Senatorial District. She finished third in the three-way race, with the seat going to Gina R. Campbell. Then in 2023, she unsuccessfully challenged Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn in her bid for reelection. In the mayor's race, Sadler said she was running because Findlay is heading in the wrong direction. She still believes that's true. "I felt so then, I feel even more so now in considering all the ways city council has intentionally moved in directions to silence the voices of the people. You do remember the Ad Hoc Committee that was used to silence 'We The People,' simply because I asked for the mayor's resignation on February 20, 2024, right?" said Sadler. "Perhaps if the mayor was doing the job for 'We The People' and not them, the globalists, I wouldn't feel the need to run. The residents of the city of Findlay deserve real representation; that is why I'm running." Sadler is referring to new public comment rules approved by city council last year, moving public comments not related to council's agenda to the end of the meeting, along with other changes. At the time, Councilman Grant Russel, R-at-large, said he was approached by eight council members following the Feb. 20 meeting, demanding a review of the public comment rules. At that meeting, Muryn was brought to tears as she defended her service to Findlay, countering months of public criticism by Sadler, a former opponent and friend. At that time, Sadler was routinely addressing council during its public comment period, accusing the mayor of "pushing" a globalist agenda and calling for her resignation. Sadler has continued to address council over the issue, but less frequently in the past year. Phillips, 54, also expressed concerns about citizens' voices not being heard in local government. He is the operations manager at Buffalo Cartridge Company, 1701 Broad Ave., an ammunition supplier, and is the lead firearm instructor at The Buffalo Trading Company, 2220 Bright Road, a sporting goods store and museum. This is his first attempt to be elected to a public office. "I am concerned that the local government is not listening to its citizens enough. I am a Republican. But I want to speak for all voices in the 6th Ward, not just those who are Republicans," he said. "I can communicate not only with non-partisan voters, but Democratic ones as well. I want our local government to be based on voter initiatives and input, not groupthink. I also want to help return civil discourse and dignity to council proceedings." Asked if he believes Findlay is heading in the right direction, Phillips said yes and no. "I have seen many foreign countries, and I know that Findlay, Ohio, is a special place. In a lot of ways, it's as good as America gets. The safe, clean and vibrant city we inherited, however, is not a birthright. You have to work for it, and alongside others who might see things differently," Phillips said. "The no for me lies in our kids. Our children graduate college and move to other towns. My goal is to create a city where they want to raise their kids. That's how I believe the government should be judged. A successful council member is one who sees multiple generations of the same family in his precincts." Phillips said he has lived in the 6th Ward his entire working life. "It is uniquely located and as such contains not only the heart of local government, but I feel, the most diversity of any ward in the city. The 6th Ward contains the City Mission, the main artery for those without cars to get to Walmart in Howard Street, and lots of University of Findlay students. Of course, we also have people who work hard every day for their families and want a safe and affordable future." He said residents of the 6th Ward "are concerned about local spending, crime, the unhoused who wander through the neighborhoods during the day, and of course downtown development." "My personal concerns somewhat mirror theirs, with some exceptions. I would like to introduce nuisance bar legislation similar to what The city of Toledo has. The Stoney Ledge bar has been an issue for years and ended in a shooting some months ago. It is unclear if it will reopen," said Phillips. "I am not in favor of closing businesses without cause, but this will protect people throughout the city who happen to live next to, or close by these establishments." The Old Stoney Ledge bar is located at 752 Howard St. Phillips is referring to a shooting that took place there in September. "I also feel that traffic is a major problem in the 6th Ward. I am sure everyone feels this as well, but we uniquely have some issues. Sandusky Street has no traffic signal where it crosses the railroad track. Traffic backs up every day sometimes to the Sandusky Street overpass," said Phillips. "I have also noticed over the years that streets like Hardin, Lincoln and Lima have gotten extremely busy because of this. Those are residential streets with kids at play, and it has become a highway. I also do not think the ward has a large enough police presence. I travel through the ward from top to bottom several times a day for work and rarely encounter local law enforcement. That presence would not only deter but ease," he said. Sadler is also concerned about crime. "The crimes of shootings, stabbings, robberies and car break-ins don't only affect the 6th Ward, they affect our entire city," she said. As for the impending turnover on Findlay City Council, Sadler said it's necessary. Seven of 10 incumbent city council members have decided against seeking reelection. "As a resident of Findlay that attends city council meetings regularly, I do not think that a brand new majority will be problematic. It's rather the opposite, I believe it to be necessary," she said. "It will only be problematic to those following a specific agenda. That agenda is the problem because it is not organically based on the people that reside in our community." Phillips said there will be a lot to learn. "I think that a brand new majority on the City Council presents a unique set of challenges more than problems. There will, of course, be a few growing pains in getting up to speed on everything," said Phillips. "This is an exciting time for our city! The city of Findlay has tons of new development and infrastructure projects going on, and I think people would be surprised about what goes into running a city of our size. We all have lots to learn and lots to catch up on." Phillips said he does sense a new spirit of cooperation growing. "I have met several of the candidates at different events and genuinely feel an urgency among all to move our city forward in a positive way for all of our citizens," said Phillips. "Obviously, when you lose decades of experience on city council, such as Randy Greeno, Grant Russell and Jim Niemeyer, it can give one pause. I do, however, feel that effective communication between council members and importantly, getting out and touching base with my constituents will go a long way towards easing those concerns." Independent candidates can still enter the general election. The filing deadline for independent candidates is 4 p.m. May 5, at the elections board, 201 E Lincoln St. Signature requirements vary, based on position, and factor in the number of votes in the last election for Ohio governor. Jody O'Brien, an elections board director, said independent candidates are advised to request the correct signature count and rules for their petitions from the elections board. Early voting starts April 8.